is it winter again?

You know the score. Lee update followed by cycling stuff! Its been another week of thankfully drama free slow recovery for our Queen of cakes. For me I've taken a break from coaching, done a TT, some rollers, a group ride, running, dog walks and junior parkrun.

Lee has been worried about her hair loss, fearing she was going to lose it all. However a trip to see her hairdresser, Brad at Queens in Rothwell, was reassuring. Brad confirmed hair loss had increased but it wasn't too bad and new hair is growing back! Lee is rightfully pleased with her new hairstyle. Baking has gone well this week with some very nice muffins. The downside is that Lee is very tired still and gets out of breath easily. Despite this she continues daily walks with her Mum. She's also keeping up with her exercises, including her Covid19 yoga sessions. Lee has been doing a lot of thinking. She's struggling to remember things and doing a lot processing.

Despite many wet days, at least half of my dog walks this week have been on nice mornings. Two of those walks were runs and for all of my walks my furry friends were a joy to spend time with!

For once I've listened to advice and thought about all the things I try to do. So I'm taking a few weeks off from coaching at the cyclones.

I'm still doing stuff for myself though. On Wednesday I took part in a time trial at Rockingham Forest Wheelers. Before the start it was horrible weather and that put a few people off. It did clear up though into a dry if cold evening. 

 

My time was pretty ordinary but gives me something to work on. The pictures help though. I already suspected my saddle was a bit low but also my handlebars had a lot of spacers! Measuring properly, I discovered my saddle was 15mm too low...hmmm I lowered so Sam could use my bike a couple of years ago...I don't think I put it back. I also started moving the spacers around to lower the handlebars. I tested this for comfort on the rollers and in a couple of weeks might  go lower still!

This leaves an unsightly "chimney," but I want to be sure before cutting the steerer tube down. On Thursday I did my now regular toad in the hole rollers session.

Saturday is group ride day and what a splendid route this was! I planned to join the Cyclasylum at Rushton but left way to late and missed the group. The weather was rubbish again and I opted for full winter kit except for fingerless gloves and I was on my Summer bike!

The route headed out into the lumpy Welland valley, perfect preparation for the Dartmoor Classic which is now only a few weeks away. I set out to catch the group without much idea how far ahead they were. My plan was just "don't stop!"

I nearly missed this gorgeous gated road before heading round to Stockerston. From there I skirted Eyebrook Reservoir and onto the test that is Stoke Dry hill. At the top I ate my banana 🍌 without stopping but was losing hope I'd catch the group. My reward for the climb was the descent into Lyddington.

I couldn't resist a picture of the 'Bishop's Eye,' that sits on the corner of the walls of Bede House We are blessed with a tonne of history in Northants and this listed building is a former Bishop's Palace that became an Alms House for men and women "free from lunacy, leprosy and the French pox!" I'm guessing my ridemates and I needn't apply! From there I took a road I'd only used once before that sums up cycling in Northants: quiet single track, rolling hills, lush green countryside! Then just before Caldecott I saw them!!!

Much to everyone's surprise I caught up with the group. We rode into Great Easton ( Hi Deelys,) and through Bringhurst and onto Middleton. Just for good measure on an already hilly ride we rode up School hill, a lesson to anyone that it's not flat here! 

From there it was through Pipewell, Great Oakley and into the most historical place of the lot, Geddington! Here we had the usual splendid service at the cafeoaktea rooms and most of us tucked into Croque Monsieur.

After that it was even colder as Bruce and I put the world to rights plodding back to Rothwell.

I had an early start at Junior Parkrun. Next week I'm the Run Director so I joined Sharon to see how it's done! It all went well and I'm hoping for more of the same next week.

In elite cycling news...The Giro! Just wow!!! The Zoncolan stage yesterday was amazing. We watched some of the stage at the tea rooms via the wonder that is GCN+ during that we reminisced how The Tour de France used to be the only televised event and even that was only highlights. Now you can watch pretty much everything!

Happy Pedalling